Elva Smith Peatross

She was preceded in her journey to Heaven by her loving husband Richard M. Peatross, Jr.; her parents, Louise and John Smith; her brother, John (Junior) Smith, Jr.; her sister, Yvonne (Bonnie) Smith Greenwood and her sister and BFF, Evelyn (Ebbie) Smith Elliott.

Elva is survived by her son, Ken, and his wife, Beth, and their daughters Rachel, Lucy and Shea; and her daughter, Michelle, and her husband, Dan, and their children Ryan, Nicole and Kate; and her sister, Phyllis (Sis) Smith Langford. She was loved immensely and will be greatly missed by them all.

Elva was born in her family home on June 5, 1933, in King William, Virginia, to Louise Kemp Smith and John Smith. She graduated from King William High School in 1950. Elva then attended Lynchburg College and earned a Bachelor’s of Science degree in Psychology in 1954. She enjoyed every moment of college life.

After graduating from Lynchburg College, Elva was hired as an elementary school teacher at Vienna Elementary School in Vienna, Virginia. She primarily taught 3rd grade for 12 years before she took on her most treasured (and challenging) job of being a loving and caring full-time wife and mom. Elva could not stay completely away from her beloved career as an elementary school teacher and was often called on to be substitute teacher or a volunteer “room mother” at the neighborhood school her children attended. She also taught children’s Sunday School at her local church in Vienna, Virginia.

Elva was an active member of her Northern Virginia chapter of the P.E.O. philanthropic educational organization. She also spent many, many hours for many, many years working in the family vegetable garden picking, blanching, canning and freezing all types of vegetables to feed her family and numerous friends. Elva was a wonderful cook who daily prepared delicious home cooked meals with much love and care for her family, always welcoming guests. She treasured her time spent with special neighbors and friends with whom she shared countless cups of coffee and numerous hours of conversation and laughter. As her children are quick to say, Elva never met a stranger and had the gift of being able to strike up a conversation with anyone she encountered. She cherished spending time with Jesus while reading His Word and receiving His Peace which she will now enjoy for eternity.

The family will receive family and friends on Tuesday, January 9, 2024, from 10:00 am until 11:00 am, at the Buford Road Baptist Church, located at 819 Buford Road in Richmond, Virginia. A Celebration of Life service for Elva will follow at 11:00 am.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made in Elva’s honor to the Missions Ministry at Buford Road Baptist Church.

The family would like to extend their heartfelt gratitude to Elva’s loving and caring Hospice Nursing Angel, Katie, for her amazing counsel, guidance and care for her and the entire family during the last month.